Gamesley fraudster ordered to pay kids’ centre back

A Glossop fraudster who stole more than £80,000 from a children’s centre has been told she only has to pay back less than five per cent of the debt, a court heard.

Rachel Murphy, of Kings Court, was jailed for 16 months in January for fraud by abuse of position after defrauding Gamesley Early Excellence Centre of £81,390.40 between August 2010 and November 2012.

As financial administrator at the centre, the 33-year-old paid herself higher wages each month than they should have been, made purchases on a company credit card and took money rather than paying it into the company account.

At a proceeds of crime hearing at Derby Crown Court on Friday, she was ordered to pay the Winster Mews centre £3,732.74 in compensation.

Gary Woodhall, defending, confirmed that those were the available assets.

Murphy must comply with the confiscation order within six months, or face 70 days’ imprisonment.

Judge John Wait ordered Murphy, who was absent from the hearing, to attend court on August 29.

At an earlier hearing last month to determine the defendant’s assets, it emerged that she had spent £2,750 on designer handbags and sunglasses and had a £1,000 share of a horse.

Murphy’s fraudulent activity was discovered while she was on sick leave, after someone hired to cover her role was noticed financial discrepancies.

At the time of publication, staff at Gamesley Early Excellence Centre were unavailable to comment.